Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks Stalled as Trump Administration Shifts Focus to Ukraine
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance as negotiations in Qatar have failed to yield progress, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of violence in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has diverted its attention to diplomatic efforts in Moscow, seeking to address the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, former real estate mogul turned Trump’s Middle East envoy, is set to leave the talks in Doha for Russia on Thursday. Tasked with juggling two of the world’s most complex conflicts—Gaza and Ukraine—Witkoff’s abrupt pivot underscores the administration’s shifting priorities and raises questions about the U.S. commitment to brokering a sustainable peace deal in the Middle East.
A Stalemate in Qatar
Despite an initial agreement in January that aimed to bring an end to the war, negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked. The first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, saw the release of 30 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, talks for the second phase, which were meant to secure a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages, have failed to advance.
Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, remains firm in its objective to dismantle Hamas militarily, refusing any agreement that does not include the group’s disarmament. Hamas, on the other hand, continues to resist any demands for demilitarization or leadership concessions.
With no resolution in sight, the fragile truce—though still technically holding—appears increasingly vulnerable.
Political Roadblocks in Israel
Critics accuse Netanyahu of deliberately stalling negotiations to maintain political leverage. His far-right allies within the governing coalition are pushing for a continuation of military operations in Gaza, despite growing pressure from the families of remaining hostages who fear their loved ones may not survive prolonged captivity.
As of March, the Israeli government estimates that 24 hostages are still alive in Gaza, while over 30 others are presumed dead. The war, which erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack—killing 1,200 people in Israel and leading to the capture of 250 hostages—has left Gaza in ruins and fueled an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The ceasefire initially allowed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, offering temporary relief to its war-torn population. However, earlier this month, Israel imposed strict new restrictions on aid shipments, blocking food and essential supplies while also cutting power to a wastewater treatment facility.
The move has drawn condemnation from international mediators, with Qatar—one of the key brokers of the ceasefire—accusing Israel of violating the agreement. Humanitarian groups warn that the new restrictions could push Gaza back into a state of extreme deprivation, undoing the limited progress made since the ceasefire began.
A Fractured Peace Process
As the Biden administration in Washington remains sidelined from negotiations, and Trump’s envoy shifts his focus to Russia, the prospect of a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas seems increasingly uncertain. Without decisive diplomatic engagement, the ceasefire risks collapsing, dragging Gaza and Israel back into another cycle of war and suffering.
Reference
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks Stalled as Trump Administration Shifts Focus to Ukraine